Tag-making machine



May 10, 1927.

c. c. KURTZ- MG MAKING MACHINE Filed June 16, 19 6 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lave/2 for. 6&4/16. (7/3 0125.

C. C. KURTZ TAG MAKING MACHINE May 10 1927. 1,627,978

Filed June 16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 x 2a Z 4; [@4 7a u" v 3 A;

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War/2 6y.

may 10 1927. 1,627,978

- c. c; KURTZ TAG MAKING momma:

Filed Juhe 16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll, W

May 10 1927. 1,627,978

C. C. KURTZ TAO MAKING MACHINE Filed Jline 16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 War/2 6y.

Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES CHARLES C. KURTZ, 01E LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TAG-MAKING MACHINE.

Application filed June 16,

This invention has to do with machines for the continuous manulacture of tags or the like, and may be generally described as a device tor punching material from a strip of traveling stock and applying the punchings in predetermined spaced relation on a second traveling strip. For instance, the invention may be applied to a machine for puncoing reinforcement patches from a strip of relatively tough paper and applying these patches to tag stock, the patches subsequently being punched through to talre the tag cord. Therefore, for the purpose of clearly pointing out the nature of the invention, I will describe it as embodied in a machine of this particular type, but this is not to be construed as in any way limiting the invention to such an embodiment.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a device which punches and applies patches with great accuracy and at very considerable speed, thus contributing to the production of a superior article at lninin'ium cost.

it is also among my objects to provide a device which is of comparative simplicity, the parts being relatively few in number and of such nature that the cost of initial manufacture and subsequent upkeep is kept to a minimum and but little attention is needed during periods of operation except for periodic replenishment of the supply of stock.

l'n contradistinction tothe usual recipro catory punches, I employ punch and die rolls, the patch stock being fed between these rolls. The patches, as I will hereinafter term the puuchings, are carried by the die rolls into a position for transfer and appli cation to the tag stock. and my invention, considered in its broader aspects, is not limited to the manner in which the tag stock is positioned to take the patches. For ine-atanco. individual tags'inay be successively placed in position to receive the patches, or, as preferable and therefore illustraten in the :ccompanying drawings, the tag stock may be "ted from a continuous roll and cut to tag size after the application of. patches thereto. v

he advantages of employing punches carried by revolving drums or rolls over the use of reciprocatory punches. from the standpoints oi" simplicity of mechanism. speed and eliiciency of operation. upkeep. etc, will be readily understood and appreciated.

1926. Serial No. 116,308.

I have shown means for applying the patches to the tag stock through the medium of a transfer roll interposed between said stock and the die roll, though the utilization of such an intermediate roll is not essential to the invention, considered in its broader aspects, as the transfer may be made directly from either the punch or die roll.

As it is not generally practicable to space the punches on the punch roll closely 'together, and yet it is desirable to avoid undue waste between punchings, it follows that the stock to be punched must travel. at less than the beripheral speed of the punch roll between periods of punching. Of course, during the period the punch is actually engaging the stock, the stock must travel at the peripheral speed of the punches, and under certain conditions the period of punch and stock engagement. or, expressed otherwise, periods during which the stock is drivingly engaged by the punch. the stock will have been drawn between the rolls so far that even though it be held from further advance before operation of the next punch, it will have advanced to such an extentthat the .ncwtt punch will engage the stock at an excessive distance from the last punch mark. Therefore, it will be seen that if the punchings are to be close together, it being realized that there is ordinarily provided takeup means to gather up the punched stock and therefore tending to pull it through the punch and die rolls,- the speed of stock advance through the rolls must be variable during a punching cycle and I have embodied novel means for accomplishing this in my machine.

As a feature of a feeding arrangement whereby the stock is taken from the supply rolls at constant speed. thus eliminating the necessity for providing intermittent drive for the feed rolls, and have provided a compensating device between the feed rolls and the punch and die rolls which so controls the stock movement between periods of punch engagement that the punchings will occur at properlyspaced intervals, even though it be necessary to draw back some of the stock which has previously passed between the punch and die rolls during the preceding period of punch engagement therewith. In other words. while the feed of the feed rolls is constant. and, therefore, calls for no complication of mechanism and involves no this means, I have devised stock as it is withdrawn from the supply rolls, the compensator insures that the stock is in proper position at the time of punching to bring about the predetermined extent of stock between. punchings.

How the above is accomplished may be de scribed to better advantage in connection with the following eecailed description, rot erence being had to the accon'ipanying drawings. in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the preferred relative positions of the various elements 01 my machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the punch and application units;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2:

Fig. 4; is an enlarged section on line l l of Fig. 2, and is somewhat diagrammatic in nature;

Fig. 4 is a view oi. the tag stock and platen roll. looking from the position of line 4-et of Fig. 4;

Fig. 41* is a view of the patch stock looking from the position of line -il: 4: of F ig. l;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail of the compensator as viewed from the position of ar row 5 in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the die roll;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a lragn'ientary view oi the transfer roll;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section on line 1010 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a section on line lfl-1l of Fig. 10, the medially arranged elements being shown in full elevation;

Fig. 12 is a detached tra gmei'itary view of Fig. 11 as viewed from the position of arrow 12; and

Figs. 13. 14; and 15 are diagrannnat c views showing progressively the advance oi the patch stoclr. through the punch and die rolls.

At the outset. l wish to make the reserva tion that while I have shown various rolls of the device as having certain relative diameters and as being driven at certain relative angular velocities. this showing and the description thereot are not to be construed as in any way limiting the ii'ivention, considered in its broader aspects. for these rela tive characteristics may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope ot my broader claims. Furthermore, while I have shown a particular type of feeding mechanism for the patch stool; and have shown the platen roll as performing both the function of a presser member and a feed member for the tag stock, only such claims as include these particular elements and dual functions are to be construed as limited thereto.

As a further reservation, I wish to point out that while the illustrated embodimentof the invention is adapted to apply patches to a traveling strip of tag stock, which is later to be cut into tag size, my broader claims cover equally well the application of patches to a second member which may be fed to proper position in other form than a continuous strip.

With the above reservation in mind, I will now proceed to describe in detail the particular el'nbodin'ient of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, one of the noteworthy teatnres of this preferred mechanism being that a number of the rolls may be of equal diameter and driven at equal angular velocities. thus contributing greatly to the simplicity, inexpensivencss and ease of operating the device.

In F 1, the letter A designates a strip of tag stock, or more broadly speaking. the stool; to which patches are to be applied. this stock being drawn from a supply spool 10 and taken up after it has passed through the patch applying mechanism by a trictionslip take-up 11. which latter is illustrated conventiomilly since it may be of any suit able type well litnown to those skilled in the art, and driven by belt 12 or other suitable power transmitting element from the con ventionally ilhiistrated prime mover 13. As will hereinatter be made apparent, certain elements of the applying mechanism are em ployed for pr. sing this tag stock at rmi'form linear speed. and take-up 11 is called upon merely to reel in the stock after it has had the patches applied thereto. though the invention. considered in its broader aspects, is not limited to this method of feeding the stock.

As a matter oi ccrmrmdcal wgeration. the illustrated mechanism is adapted to apply two patches to the tag stock siinultaneonsly. the tag stock being of a width equal to the length of two ta placed l to end. as indicated by dotted l nes in Fig. 4: 'lhusl3 and (l indicate adjacent tap areas which are adapted subv guently to he cut apart and to the shape indicated. each area to have a patch l. applied l'llQN in order that d pair of p tches the simultaneously apple.

may be taken from a relatively narrow rip of stock and applied to the ta; stock withmit varying the spread eizisting between them at the time they are punched. like ends of the tag areas are disposed in )osition. (ll? course, as out ined above. the invention is not limited to a device adapted to apply any particular number of patches simultzn noously, tor the invention may be embodied with equal advantage in a machine adapted to apply only one patch or more than two at a single time.

Hill

' and taken up by friction-slip reel G, the

it is frequently desirable that reinforcing patches be placed on both sides of the tag stock, usually, though not always, in exact alinement, and in the preferred embodimentof my invention 1 therefore employ two identical punching and applying units D and E, one adapted to affix the patches to the upper side of stock A and the other to the underside thereof. Each of these units is entirely self-contained, and since they are identical, except for certain reversals in position of elements, only one need be described in detail; and I have chosen to describe unit D. It will be understood that the two units may be easily located with relation to one another so that the patches applied thereby are afiixed to the stock in predetermined positions relative to one another.

The strip of reinforcing material or, as it Will hereinafter be termed, patch or punching stock, F, is drawn from a storage reel R and, preferably, after it passes through unit 1), is trained over an idler 1 lat- . ter,'preferably, though not necessarily, be-

through spacers 2 1 ing driven by belt lat from prime mover 13 and being illustrated here only convention.- ally since it may be of any usual type adapted to be frictionally driven fast enough to take-up stock fed thereto when first fixed to it, and slipping as its effective diameter increases due to accumulation of stock thereon.

Numerals 15, 16, 17 and 18 designate four rolls or drums whose axes of'rotation lie substantially in a common vertical place and which will hereinafter be referred to, in the order named, as punch roll, roll and platen or sticker roll. While the provision of any suitable type of platen or equivalent presser member lies within the scope of my broader claims, it is preferable that-the platen be of the roller type illustrated and that it function with the transfer roll to provide means for frictionally driving tag stock A at predetermined linear speed, though it will also be understood that the invention is not limited, considered in its broader aspects, to the use of the transfer and platen rolls as driving elements,1since,

any drivin means which properly synchronizes the travel of the tag stock with the angular movement of the transfer roll may be employed.

1n the illustrated embodiment of the invention, rolls 1-3, 16, 17 and 18 are shown of substantially equal diameter, and they are lixed against rotation on. shafts 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively. The shaftsare journaled in individual castings 23, the latter being held in assembly by means of bolts 2% which extend and laterally. extending The shafts carry intercasting lugs 24*.

of equal diamemeshing gears 25 which are die roll, transfer v ter, and hence give equal angular velocity to the rolls, and since the latter are substantially of equal diameter, their peripheral or linear speeds are substantially equal. \Vhile the drive of the several rolls may be accomplished in any suitable manner, I prefer to utilize for this purpose a driving chain 26 from prime mover 13 (said chain and mover being conventionally shown in Fig. 1), the chain drivingly engaging sprocket 27 on one of the shafts, for instance, shaft 19.

The circumference of each of the rolls 1'? and 18 (and hence of rolls 15 and 1b) is of such extent that it is an even multiple of the Width of a given tag area, for instance, four times the extent of such a width; it following that one revolution of the platen or transfer roll passes an extent of tag stock equal to the total width of four tag areas. It then follows that for each revolution of any one roll there are to be four patch applications, four transfer cycles, and four punching cycles. Accordingly, there are provided four equi-spaced punches on roll 15 and four die recesses in roll 16. Of course, these ratios and numbers of punches are not controlling on the invention, as they may be varied to meet different situations.

The individual punches on roller 15 are generally designated by numeral 28, and where two side-by-side punchings are'to be made simultaneously, as is true of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each punch 28has a companion punch 28 (Fig. 2), and each of the equally spaced die recesses 29 in roll 16 has a companion die recess 29.

Without regard to the particular means, for feeding patch stock 1 except to state that it is fed forwardly in a manner to present new stock to each punch, and that adhesive material is applied to the underface thereof, 1 will now describe the construction and operation of the punching and the applying unit. Rolls 15 and 16 are spaced apart sufiiciently to take stock F, and while they may press thereagainst suflicienlly to tend to drive said stock frictionally, such contact is not necessary to the invention, and its provision is in no way controlling on'the operation of the device.

Punches 28 are made of suitable wear resisting material which is well adapted to hold a shearing edge, and, in the present instance, each punch is made up of a cylindrical section seated within roll recess 28" and held removably in position by pin 30. Of course, the punches may be varied in cross-section at their effective points in order that the shape of the punchings' or patches may be varied accordingly.

Each die recess 29 is in the form of a cylindrical bore complementary to and adapted to take punches 28 as they come into registration, it being observed'lhat due to the til) 'lll

gea r connection between roll shafts, rolls and l? are adapted to rotate in a given direction while rolls 16 and 1S rotate in the opposite direction. 1n the arrangement of the device here shown, rolls 15 and 17 will be considered as rotating coimterclockwise, while rolls to and l8 rotate clockwise.

\Vithin. each bore 29 is preferably provided means for ejecting or moving outwardly the patch thrust thereinto durr the operation of the aresponrling punch, and for aiding in placing this patch in predetermined position upon transfer roll 17. While 1 have shown and will describe preferred means for thus ejecting and positioning the patch, it will be understood that. my broader claims are not. to be considered as limited to such particularities. In order that the operation of this ejector and positioning mechanism may be clearly followed, attention will first be called to the construction of tran'f r roll 17. Spaced about roll 17 so they w; i periodically come into axial alignment with a corrcspondiug die recess in roll 16, are plugs ill which carry centrally disposed, upstanding or radially extending retention or patch-po.--itioning members 2-52. As will be seen by reference to l igs. 8 and S), these retention members are preferably in the nature of 1.)iercing elements. each having a loi'igitndinally extending sharpened edge 33, while their ends are preferably undercut somewhat as at Pal to give them spez-ir-head charzu'teristics. Plugs 3]. are detachably held in recesses by pins 36, these pins being adapted to be removed when the plug is to be taken out for inspection, replacement or repair.

\Vithin die recesses 29 are cylindrical plugs 37, pins 2- 58 being employed for holding these plugs detachably in position. The outer ends 39 of plugs i are spaced well inwardly from the pei'i )l1eral face of roll 16 so they will not interfere with the reception of the 'iatches within the recesses, and extending outwardly from ends 89 are centrally disposed presser feet .40 the outer faces of which are spaced inwardly somewhat from the peripheral face of the roll to allow entry of the patch into the die recess. l ntil forcibly ejected or withdrawn, a given patch is fric ionally held within the die recess into which it has been pressed. Each foot ll) is preferably of forked formation with its furcations somewhat pointed as at ll. said fur-cations being spaced apart suti'icirntly to span members 32 as said. feet and members come into registration during rotation of the rolls. The effect of such registration. is for the presser foot L410 to hold the central portion of its patch against movement toward the center of roll 16 so the corresponding member 32 is forced into the center of the patch, foot l0 bridging the retention member during its period of registration therewith, the overlap of the retention member and foot in the direction of their axes insuring that the patch be thrust down closely about the retention member. llue to their spear-head characteristics, the elements 32 serve to resist the tendency of. the patch to l from roll 17 under the in i'iueu'ce of centrifugal force, the material of which the patch is made having such inherent characteristics that it naturally spreads somewhat under over-hanging por tions S t of the spear heads as soon as the patch is pierced thereby. The retention member is thus adapted, in eifect, to pick up the patch from the die recess.

However, in order that the patch may be positively thrust ouwardly from a given die recess 29 and so its leading and rearward edge may be thrust toward the correspondmg; points on the transfer roll, I prefer to employ an ejector, preferably, though not necessarily, of the plunger type illustrated. Each ejector is of U-format-ion, the crossarm l2) thereof being disposed at the inward end of plug 37 and the legs lat being disposed in guideways (F 11) provided at diametrically opposite sides of the plug. These ejectors are adapted to be moved longitudinally through recesses 29, or, in other words, radially with respect to roll 16 into and out of ejecting posit-ion; springs 46 being interposed between a given plug 37 and a corresponding cross-arm 43 in a manner normally and yieldingly to hold the ejector in inoperative or retracted position, as shown at the upper part of Fig. 11. Each leg is is formed with spaced points or studs l-T and 48, the ejector thus being provided with four points radially spaced from the recess axis and arranged so that two spaced points ahead of the recess axis thrust the leading end of the patch out ardly from the recess, due to a cam action now to be described, about as member 32 engages the patch, and two spaced points behind the recess axis adapted to engage the patch to thrust its rearward end. outwardly at the proper time. I ind it preferable to make the leading points l7 somewhat longer than the following points 48 so the former are adapted still. to hold the patch against the transfer roll until the following points are pressing the patch against the roll. Of course, the invention is not limited to the particular relative positioning or number of studs shown.

The cam for actuating a given ejector against the action of its spring ell) is shown .in Figs. 10 and 11. The end of shaft- 20, to which roll 16 is held against rotation by setscrews l9. centrally bored at 50 to take spindle 51. This spindle has spaced heads 52 which fit snugly within bore 50 in order that the spindle may be accurately centered, and cam lugs 53, one for each ejector a2 and 42 are located between heads 52 and posiill) .tioned to be in radial alignment with crossarms d3 which preferably have cam noses 43 i. Spindle 51 is held against rotation and in such position that its cams will be engg ed by given ejector noses in a manner to thrust the patches outwardly through a given pair of recesses at the proper ti While the mean-s for holding; the swindle may be of any desired construction, an arrangement which is preferable, due mainly to its simplicity, is here iliustrated including a link 55 slipped at one end over shaft 19 and having at its lower end an aperture 5'6 ot polygonal outline which fits over a conixplementarily formed extension 57 on spindle 51. A cotter key thrust through shaft 19 to hold the link from dis placement lcngitiulinally therealonp', and a nut is threaded on the reduced end 60 of the spindle to clamp the latter to the link and thereby hold the spindle against end play, the inter. tt-ing' oi e ension :3? and aperture holding the spindie against rotation. It given can-r 53 is ordinarily set .so

i it forces the eiecior to the extreme end of its operating s he as plugs 31 and '27 come into 'Lull registration, but the cam face is preferably long enough or .so shaped as to hold the ejector with its rearward points 48 against the patch until said points approximately reach said common axial plane,

In addition to iinpaling the patches on retention menitmrs d2, 1 may provide auxiliary means for l'ioldingr the patches against (lisp acement on roll 17, this means being in the nature of a suction or pressure reducing device conventionally illustrated at 61. (Fig. 2) which has pipe connection 62 with the bore of roll 17 through a usual slip-joint connection convention-ally illustrated :at (54:. Duct-s =65 lead from bore 63 and through the roll 17 and plug 31 to the outer faces of the latter, so the suction device acts to draw the patch to plug 31 and hold it thereon in proper position until it has reached its position of application to tag stock A. "or" course, my broader claims contemplate the provision of this suction means for holding the catch to the transier roll either independently o l or in connectionwith the impa-lin-g member.

The patch stock F runs between rolls l5 and 16 with its adhesive side down, the adhesive side of the patch therefore facing inwardly while it is within recess However, when the patch is luster-red to roll 17, its adhesive side will race out, it following that as roll l7 brings said patch into contact with tag stock A. the adhesive side of the patch will be presented to the tap stock, and the spaonip of rolls 1? and is such that the tag: stock and patch are pressed firmly tog-c her, the adhesive holding the patch to the stock against the tendency of the impairing member to carry it around and past the stock. The peripheral face of roll 18 relieved, for obvious reasons, as at 18 at points where it otherwise might be engaged by members 32. The tag and patch s ocl: are of a somewhat compressible nature so they may both be taken between rolls 1? and 1'8, yet, when unpatched portions of the steel; are between them, the rolls still engage it suliiciently to advance it without slippage, though it is not essential to the invention, considered in its broader aspects, to advance the tag stock by these rolls.

The pat-c ies will, of course, be spaced equally on the tag stock, since they are spaced evenly on roll 17 by roll 16, and the area widths and the peripheral spacing tne retention means on the transfer roll being equal, one patch will be applied to each patch area. a

will now describe my novel feed arrann'cnient whereby the patch stock is fed to the punch and die rolls so as to leave only a predetermined lineal extent of waste stock between patch punchings, where said predetcrinined extent is to be less than the distance between punches as measured on the periphery of roll 16. In the first place, it will he bserved that while the punches are drivingly engaging the patch stock, the speed of said stock mustbe equal to the peripheral speed of the punches, and it such speed were maintained throughout the operation, the waste stock between punchings would be prohibitive from an economic standpoint, as will be readily understood. It follows that to reduce the extent of waste below this point, the feed must be such that when the punches are not engaging the stock, the latter traveling between the rolls at less than the peripheral speed of the punches, and, under certain conditions and where it required that the waste be kept down to certain predetermined degree, is necessary to hold the stock against advance or! to giro it retrograde movement between periods of punch engagement. I prefer to utilize feed rolls which take the stock from the supply spools at constant speed, with obvious advantage, and, therefore, to bring about the above condition it necessary to provide a controlling device or compensator which takes up the stock fed in by the feed rolls between periods of punch engagement, and, under certain circumstances, will also give retrograde movement to the stool: which has passed through the punch and die rolls during these periods and yet will release the stock for travel 1 the peripheral speed of the punches when the latter drivingly engage said stock. In other words, the compensator controls the stock movement between periods of punch engagement so the stock is en arged by a given punch at a predetermined distance it'r-om the last punching.

It will be noted that the period 01 punch engagement with the stock, that is, the period during which the stool: must travel forward between the punch and die rolls, depends upon such factors as the thickness of the stock, the maximum overlap of the punch within the die, and the shape of the punch, the latter factor entering into the situation since the stock cannot be held from advance as long as the widest part of the punch, measured in the direction of the roll axis, is in engagement therewith. For in stance, in the present situation, the stock cannot be held against advance at the peripheral speed of the punch until that diameter of the punch which lies in a radial, anial plane of roll 15 has passed out of engagement with the stock.

In certain instances, the punch overlap and the thickness of the stoclr may be such that the stock need merely be held. from ad Vance as soon as the punch ceases to drivingly engage the stock, and yet the next punching will occur at a point so little spaced from the preceding punch that there is no undue wastage. li-lowever, in order to illustrate a situation where the stock, be tween periods of punch engagement, must not only be held from advance but be given retrograde movement in order to reduce the wastage to the allowal le extent, I have illustrated such a condition and have shown compensating means of a nature to cause such retrograde movement. This is not, however, to be considered as limiting the invention to this precise type of compensating means, nor to one which causes retrograde movement. It will also be noted that l have arranged this compensator so that it in no way affects the feed of stock from supply reel R, the passage of this stock from said reel being at a uniform rate and hence calling for no complications of construction in cident to intermittent movement and not tending to withdraw the stool: in the jerky manner which usually accompanies intermittent movements and which is apt to overstrain the stock at certain periods and overrun it at other periods.

In the first place, the waste stock between punchings is preferably reduced to that minimum which leaves only enough material between punchings to insure that the strip is not weakened to an extent which will allow it to yield under the tension to which it is subsequently put. For instance, referring to Fig. d it may be determined that with punchings P of a given diameter (/1 the extent of waste stock to between punchings may be reduced to a given dimension without unduly weakening the strip. It follows that during each punching cycle the stock must advance ultimately only a distance equal to the sum of the diameter of the punching plus distance w, and I therefore provide feed rolls and 71, driven, for instance, by chain 72 from sprocket 73 on shaft 19, which rolls are adapted to engage frictionally the stock F, drawing itfrom reel R and advancing it towards rolls l5 and 16 at a uniform rate which will pass, during each punching cycle, that a iount of stock equal to the diameter of the punching, or the maximum extent of a punching measured from leading to following edge, plus the predetermined extent of waste material between punchings, that is, during each quarter revolution of the punch or die rolls in the instant case. This ratio of drive may, of course, be readily accomplished by the choice of proper driving elements.

At this point it may be mentioned that the adhesive on the underside of patch stock F may be applied to said stool; from a supply reservoir 7-l through the medium of feed roll 71, or in any other suitable manner.

lVith the extent of feed by rollers 70, 71 thus determined, it is then required thatthe stock be controlled in its movement between periods of punch engagement so a given punch will engage the stock at the predetermined interval from the preceding punch and that the stock then be free to travel at the peripheral speed of the punch until the latter has become disengaged therefrom. For instance, referring to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the thickness of the stock and effective length of the punch 28 is such that the latter initially drivingly engages the stock F at a point well in advance of the common axial plane 75. The punch continues to engage the stock drivingly until. .it passes through the position of Fig. .14 to that of Fig. 15, and during this period the stock must have been traveling at the peripheral speed of the punch. Preferably, there is provided a stripper bar 76 secured, for instance, to casting 23 at 77, disposed between roll 15 and idler I or take-up G in such a manner that the patch stock is stripped from the punches as the stock passes from between the punch and die rolls, for obvious reasons.

With the conditions as outlined above, it will be seen that the punched out hole P is disposed with its rearward edge approximately at the common axial plane 7 5 of the rolls, and even though the stock were then held against further advance, it will be seen that the following punch 28" cannot engage the stock at a point closer to plane 75 than that indicated by the position of the leading edge of punch 28* in Fig. 13. It will be assumed that the consequent wastage of stock between the two punch marks is more than that predetermined as allowable, and that the stock has therefore traveled through the punch and die rolls, during the period of punch engagement. a distance greater than that equal to the diameter of the punching plus the predetermined extent of waste. It

"ill

and shaft 19,

follows that the extent of stock which passes between the punch and die rolls is' greater than the. amount ted by rolls 70, '1' 1' during the punching; cycle. The extra amount of stock necessary to allow this over-run, is provided by initially putting just sutlicient extra slack in the length between the feed rolls and the punch and die rolls. In order to reduce the waste to the predetermined extent, I pro ride a compensator adapted to give the stock retrograde movement between the time punch 23" allows the stoppage ol': the stock and the time the leading edge of punch 28" engages the stock. It is essential that the aggregate stock-advancing force exerted by take-up reel G and rolls 15 and 16, should the latter frictionally engage the stock, be less than the etl'ectiv-e frictional force exerted on the stock by feed rolls 70 and 71, so the compensator is able to hold or pull back the stock against the efforts of reel G or rolls 1:), 16, rather than pull the stock through the feed rolls at a rate faster than said feed rolls are designed to feed it. In other words, teed rolls 70, 71. are capable of over-powering the tendency of the takeup reel, and the punch and die rolls (when in frictional engagement only, with the stock) to pull the stock from the supply reel at a rate taster than that predetermined for a given situation. The extent otf stock which is drawn beyond the point determining the limit of predetermined wastage, will be termed the over-run, while the extra slack initially put in the stock length between the feed and punch rolls to allow this over-run, will be termed the ovenrun slack.

I have shown my compensator in the form of an eccentric 78 (Fig. 5) carried on shaft 79 the latter being journaled in bearing 80 and having a sprocket 81 thereon. While the eccentric may be driven in proper time with the rest of the mechanism by any suitable drive connection. I prefer to drive it bv chain 82, or the like, from sprocket 83 The drive is such that eccentric 78 makes one complete revolution for each punching; cycle. so, in the illustrated case. there are tour revolutions of the eccentric to each revolution of the punch roll.

Eccentric 78 is proportioned'and positioned to take up the over-run slack plus the amount ted in by rolls 70, 71, between periods of punch engagement, and at the extreme point in its take-up stroke just as any one of" the punches driving gly'engages the stock. Cam '78 has quick release characteristics, that is. it is cut away at 84 so as it passes from the extreme position shown in Fig. 13, and remembering that it travels at lour timesthe speed of roller 15, stock F is free to be drawn swiftly through the punch and die roll at the peripheral speed of the punch without interference from said vanced by rolls 70, 71

eccentric.- It will be noted that the eccentric is preferably entirely clear of the stock as the punch passes through the position of Fig. 14-, and the period at which it reeng'ages the stock is not important as long as it again reaches its extreme position of throw, that is, as is shown in Fig; 13 at just the instant the succeeding); punch i'lrivingly engages the stock. In other words, the stock may be slack between the punch rolls and feed rolls at all times except the instant a given punch initially engages it, but it is preferable that the stock be taken up gradually or smoothly progressively so it may not be unduly strained. \Vhere there has been an overrun of stock, the compensator draws the over-run back against the advancing tendencics of take-up G, and rolls 15, 16. Of course. where there is no over-run, or, in other words, when the stock does not have to be retrograded no over-run slack is provided, and the eccentric is designed merely to take up the amount of stock adpunch engagement.

That portion 85 ot eccentric 78 which engages the steel: to take it up. is preferably arcuate. so the eccentric in its rotation about the axis of shaft 79 has roller action on the stock to the end outlined above.

It will he understood the drawings and description. are to be considered merely as illustrative of and not restrictive on the broader claims appended hereto, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may he made without departing from the spirit and scope of said claims.

I claim:

1. In a dcvice of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for teeding stock between the rolls, apunching ejector in the (lie roll and characterized as a plunger movable radially through the die roll into and out of ejecting position, means adapted normally to hold the ejector out of ejecting position, spaced studs extending from the ejecting end of the plunger and adapted to engage the punching when the ejector is moyed toward ejecting posi tion, and means adapted periodically to more the ejector into ejecting position.

2. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a. complementary die roll, means tor operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls pun chine; ejector in the die roll and characterized as a plunger movable radially throughyth'e die roll into and out of ejecting; position means adapted normally to hold the ejector out of ejecting positon, spaced studs extending; from the ejecting end of the plunger and adapted to engage the punching when the ejector is moved toward ejecting position, certain of said studs being at the side between periods of llt) till

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of the punch center towards the leading edge thereof, and others of said studs being at the other side of the punch center and means i dapted periodically to move the ejector into ejecting position.

3. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a coniplementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, a punching ejector in the die roll and characterized as a plunger movable radially through the die roll into and out of ejecting position means adapted normally to hold the ejector out of ejecting position spaced studs ex, tending: from the ejecting end of the plunger and adapted to engage the punching); when the ejector is meted toward ejecting position. certain of said studs beinp at the side of the punch center towards the leading edge thereof and others of said studs being; at the other side of the punch center, the studs towards the leadiue edge being of greater effective length than those at the other side of the punch center, and means adapted periodically to more the ejector into ejecting position.

t. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying: the patches to tag stocln a punch roll, a compleii'icntary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls, and means for transferring the patch pun h-- ingrs from the die recesses of the die roll to the tag stock.

5, in a device for punching; patches from patch stock and applying the patches to a traveling: strip of tap; stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls, an d means for transferring the patch punchinn's from the die recesses of the die roll to the tag stock at predeterl'nined intervals therealong.

6. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying; the patches to tag; stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls, a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, and means for ejecting the punehinns from the die recess of the die roll and placing; them upon the transfer roll in predetermin d spaced relation.

7. In a device for punching: patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tan steel; a punch roll, a complementary die roll. means for operatin n the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls, a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, means for ejectinp the punchingrs from the die recess of the. die roll and placing; them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, and means adapted detachably to hold the punchings on the transferroll in said relation.

8. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, me for operating the rolls, means for up the patch stool: between the rolls, a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, means for ejecting the pnnchings from the die recess of the die roll and placing" them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, and means adapted detachably to hold the pnnchings on the transfer roll in said relation; said last-named means being characterized as a retention member on the transfor roll, and a presser member on the die roll adapted to impale the punching on the retention member as the two members pass during the rotation of the rolls.

9. in a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a compiemmitary the roll, means for operating the rolls means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls a transfer roll adjacent the die rolh means for rotating the transfer roll, means {or e ecting the pnnchings from the (lie recess of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spacial reiatiozn means adapted detachabl to hold the pnnchings on the transfer roll in sa d relation; said last-drained means being; characterized as a retention member on the transfer roll and having spear-head character cs substantially as described, and a pre 1' member on the die roll adapted to impale the punching; on the retention member as the two members pass during; the rotation of the rolls.

10 In a device for punching; patches from patch stock and applyingthe patches to tap; stock, a punch roll a complementary die roil, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotatingthe transfer roll, means for ejecting; the punchings from the die recess of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, means adapted detachably to hold the punchings on the transfer roll in said relation, and a platen spaced from the transfer roll and adapted to take tagstock between it and said transfer roll.

11. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and a 'ipiyinpg the patches to tan" stock, punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch settocl'c between the rolls. transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, means for ejecting the punchings from the die races of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer rollin predetermined spaced relation, means adapted; detachably to hold the punchings on the transfer roll in said'reiation, and a rotatable platen roll spaced from the transfer roll and adapted to take tag stock between it and said transfer roll.

12. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll. means for operating the rolls, means for feeding the patch stock between the rolls, a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, means for ejecting the punchings from the die recess of the die roll and ")lacing them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, means adapted detachably to hold the punchings on the transfer roll in said relation, a rotatable platen roll spaced from the transfer roll and adapted to take tag stock between it andsaid transfer roll, and means for rotating the platen roll at the same linear speed as that of the transfer roll.

13. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a complementary for feeding the patch stock between the rolls,

a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll, means for ejecting the punchings from the die recess of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, means adapted detachably to'hold the punchings on the transfer roll in said relation; a rotatable platen roll spaced from the transfer roll and adapted to take tag stock between it and said transfer roll, and means for rotating the platen roll at the same linear speed as that of the transfer roll; said transfer and platen rolls being adapted, in their rotation, to advance the tag stock.

14. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a. complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, and means for drawing out the stock punchings from the die recesses of the die roll.

15. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, a transfer roll associated with the die roll, means for operating the transfer roll, and means on the transfer roll adapted to extract the stock punchings from the die recesses of the die roll.

16. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, a transfer roll associated with the die roll, means for operating the transfer roll, means on the transfer roll adapted to extract the stock punchings from the die recesses of the die die roll, means for operating the rolls, means than the predetermined roll, and means on the die roll adapted simultaneously to eject the punchings from said recesses.

' 17. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, a transfer roll associated with the die r011,

'inea'ns for operating the transfer roll, and means on the transfer roll adapted to extract the stock punchings from the die recesses of the die roll and to hold the punchings detachably to the transfer roll.

18. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, means for feeding stock between the rolls, a transfer roll associated with the die roll, means for operating the transfer roll, means on the transfer roll adapted to extract the stock punchings from the die recesses of the die roll, said last-named means embodying a member adapted to pierce the punohings when the die and transfer rolls are operated.

19. In a'device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die I roll, means for operating the punch and die rolls in synchronism, means for feeding stock towards the punch and die rolls at predetermined constant speed, the stock vanced through the rolls at a speed greater speed during periods of punch engagement therewith, and a compensator between the feeding means and the punch and die rolls, said compensator being adapted to act on the stock to control its movement with respect to the punch and die rolls between periods of punch engagement.

2). In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the punch and die rolls in synchronism, means for feeding stock towards the punch and die rolls at predetermined constant speed, the stock being ad vanced through the rolls at a speed greater than the predetermined speed during periods of punch engagement therewith, and a. compensator between the feeding means and the punch and die rolls, said compensator being adapted to act on the stock to retard its movement with respect to the punch and die rolls between periods of punch engagement.

21. In a device of the character described, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the punch and die rolls in synchronism, means for feeding stock towards the punch and die rolls at predetermined constant speed, the stoclt being advanced through the rolls at a speed greater than the predetermined speed during periods of punch engagement therewith, and a compensator between the feeding means and the punch and die rolls, said compensator-being adapted to act on the stock to reverse its being addirection of movement with respect to the punch and die rolls between periods of punch engagement.

22. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag; stock, a punch. roll, a complementary die roll, means for operatinethe rolls, said rolls being adapted to take patch stock between them, and means for transferring the patch punchings from the die recesses of the die roll to the tag stock.

23. In a device for punching patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll, means for operating the rolls, said rolls being adapted to take patch stock between them, a transfer roll adjacent the die rolh means for rotating the transfer roll, and means for ejecting the punchingrs from the die recess of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer roll. in predetermined spaced relation.

24:, In a device for punching; patches from patch stock and applying the patches to tag stock, a punch roll, a complementary die roll. means for operating the rolls, said rolls belng adapted to take patch stock between them, a transfer roll adjacent the die roll, means for rotating the transfer roll. means for ejecting the punchings from the die recess of the die roll and placing them upon the transfer roll in predetermined spaced relation, means adapted detachably to hold the punchings on the transfer roll in said relation and a rotatable platen roll spaced from the transfer roll and adapted to take tag" stock between it and said transfer roll.

25. In a device of the character described,

a punch roll, a complementary die roll,

a die recess in its peripheral face, and a punch projecting from the peripheral face of the other roll and adapted to enter the die recess when the rolls are rotated.

27. In a device of the character described, a pair of rolls adapted to take stock between their peripheral faces, means for rotating the rolls oppositely, one of said rolls having a die recess in its peripheral face, a punch projecting from the peripheral face of the other roll. and adapted to enter the die recess when the rolls are rotated, and means for delivering the punching from said die recess. i

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of May 1926.

CHARLES C. KURTZ. 

